TORONTO - The Ontario government said Monday it will impose fee cuts on doctors - a move the province's physicians have strongly advised against.

The new lower fees will be retroactive to April 1.

A government news release says OHIP fees will be updated to better reflect medical practices.

"Our doctors are the best paid in Canada," Health Minister Deb Matthews said. The Ontario Medical Association, which represents 25,000 doctors, has warned that patient care will suffer if the government forces dramatic cuts.

The OMA has offered to freeze fees for two years, but the government wants a freeze on total doctor compensation.
Matthews said the OMA proposal would cost taxpayers $700 million more a year.

The doctors argue they're being expected to absorb the cost of new physicians and increased use of the system.

There are cuts to several hundred fees in 37 service areas including cataract surgery, CT/MRI scans and self-referrals.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said he backs the move to slash fees.

"You've got to do something," Hudak said Monday, adding the Liberals have spent so freely for the past nine years, the province is in a fiscal hole that requires drastic action.

Hudak said he will introduce a private member's bill this week that would freeze all pubic sector wages - including doctors - for two years.

Changes to health services:
CT/MRI scans for chronic lower pain limited

Vein surgery limited to newly defined "medically necessary" conditions

Pre-operative echocardiograms not covered for elective non-cardiac surgery

Joint/spine manipulation fee cancelled outright

Electrocardiogram and pulmonary function tests not covered in routine annual exam

PET scans covered for esophageal cancer for potential candidates for curative therapy

Reducing fees in:

- Cataract surgery
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Intra-vitreal injections anesthesia
- Cardiac Loop Recording
- 3D interpretation fee for radiology
- 3D stereotaxis in brain and nerve surgery
- Electrocardiogram
- Diagnostic radiology - interpreting results
- Laparoscopic surgical fee premium
- Colonoscopies and elective gastroscopy
- After-hours procedural premiums
- Intensive or coronary care unit premiums
- Nerve block

Eliminating fees in:

- Intra-operative monitoring of neural structures